Media release

Date: October 27, 2004

Int'l Employment Program Wins National Award

(L-r) Claire Morris, President of AUCC; Dr. Jim Anglin, Associate Vice-President Academic and Director of International Affairs; Dr. David Turpin, President of the University of Victoria; Dr. Elizabeth Grove-White, Executive Director, Co-operative Education program; and Denis Jackson, District Vice President of Scotiabank, Ottawa & West Quebec
Combating environmental destruction in Uganda, star-gazing from an observatory in Chile, upholding constitutional law in South Africa—UVic Co-op students can have these employment opportunities before they graduate. Gaining a global perspective as well as work experience is part of UVic Co-operative Education’s international program and this year it is the recipient of an Award for Excellence in Internationalization from the Scotiabank Group and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

“As a Canadian leader in experiential learning, UVic strives to give as many students as possible the opportunity to participate in an international co-op placement,” says UVic President Dr. David Turpin. “In an international placement, they experience other cultures, gain new language skills and acquire an international perspective. I’m very pleased that the outstanding accomplishments by our co-op program are being recognized through this prestigious award.”

With the largest co-operative education program in Western Canada and third largest in the country, UVic offers nearly 3,000 students the opportunity to combine study with relevant, paid work terms each year. More than 40 departments and all faculties participate in UVic Co-op. Almost 14 per cent of all student placements are in international settings, representing 40 countries and 244 employers.

“Experiential learning at UVic has evolved to meet the changing needs of society,” says UVic Co-op Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Grove-White. “We are now educating students to participate in a complex world where cross-cultural awareness and a global perspective benefit themselves and society. I’m grateful to Scotiabank and AUCC for recognizing the work our program and its employers do to support this vision.”

The Award for Excellence in Internationalization recognizes innovative programs that help students prepare for a more global world. Other recipients of this year’s award are Université Laval, Glendon College and McMaster University. The awards were presented in Ottawa at the Canadian Museum of Civilization at an evening reception on October 27.

AUCC represents 92 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges. Scotiabank is recognized as a leader among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities.